About Me

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Gesso Magic

I have received several emails regarding what I referred to as a "gesso wash" on the frames in my last post. As you all know I love old world finishes.

Well, gesso is as old world as they come. Ancient Egyptians used it as a base for wall paintings and to coat wooden artifacts. Gesso is a thick substance, somewhere between plaster and paint.

Artist use it to prep their canvases. You can find it at artist supply or craft stores. Gesso can be any combination of binder (glue), whiting, chalk or plaster, and pigment. I used gesso on the corbel in my first pic.

I'll show you what I did to achieve this in a minute, but first a simple gesso treatment. Here are the stack of frames from my last post.

The frames were a dark gold, as was the one I'm about to use for my demonstration. The corbel was dark wood.

You can do this. Make sure the piece you're working with is clean and dry, blah, blah, blah.

I first applied a thick coat of gesso right out of the container.

Before it was completely dry, I went over it with a dry brush, to smooth it out a bit. You don't have to use a different brush, just take a dry rag and remove most of the gesso from the brush you are using.

Now, some of you may like it right at this point. If you do, you can stop. I prefer to apply a couple more layers of slightly watered down gesso to give it added body.

That's it. You can leave it with this rough plaster look, or sand it back, like I did with the corbel.

Gesso comes in white, grey and black. I applied a layer of white to the corbel. Let it dry. I then applied a layer of grey. After the second layer was dry (gesso dries pretty quick), I used a sanding pad to smooth it out, and give it a little distressing.

The frame would look good with a floral painting. Here it is propped against one.

I also laid it on one of my tole trays.

I love the soft full bodied look of gesso. You can get a fantastic finish with only a few steps. Although I prefer the dry chalky finish, you can wax or poly if you like.

Hey, if you give this treatment a try, I would love to see it. Send me a pic. Go on, create a little gesso magic.

I'll be back with more to share soon, including more gesso projects and a redesigned clock case.

UPDATE: If you'd like to learn how to make your own gesso, you should check out the Farragoz online painting course. I'm an affiliate, and, although commercial gesso works, I have been using the paint recipes from the course, and, much prefer the versatility, and, texture. You can learn more by clicking HERE.

70 comments:

I love this treatment Rosemary. I didn't know it was the same gesso used for priming canvass. I'm going to try this on some mirrors that I need to paint. I already have gesso, now I cant wait to try it. Thanks so much for the great tutorial.

Rosemary, Rosemary, Rosemary!! LOOOOVE IT! and to think we never thought of using Gesso...for heavens sake, we used enough in art class in college :) Thanks for the tips - we are itching to get a project started tonight (if only we had that Gesso!!!!!)Have a great & creative week!Karla & Karrie

Wow, this is a new one to me. Your tutorial is great and I will keep this post as a reference for a stack of old gold frames I have. Your work is great. I'm so glad you popped in, I'll be your newest follower. Please visit me often.Hope your week is great.

Doh! I paint and have gesso in my studio but I never thought to use it in this manner. I'm super excited now to redo some old frames I have in the attic. This will probably be a completely 'no cost' project. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

really nice work - I like your technique and definitely appreciate the way you explain your method. I've been thinking about trying to find a couple of small corbels to prop up a little shelf that I'd like to place over a hall doorway. I just never seem to go shopping. It will probably have to wait until Round Top this fall. Your corbels are SO pretty.

How'd I miss this one?! Rosemary thanks for the tutorial! I love the chalky soft look of the gesso! Hmmm I'll give it a try and hope for the best. If it turns out ok I'll be sure to share it with you. Vanna

I bought a frame recently that could really benefit from your gesso treatment! I'm bookmarking this post, so I can follow the steps when I finally get around to it. Thanks for the inspiration!! Wish me luck :)

Rosemary,Your a doll for showing us this! I actually have some gesso I bought to prep a canvas and I haven't used it yet. I also have a corbel that I need to finish and this is PERFECT! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for putting this on here at Home Sweet Home! I will feature you next week, gesso isn't talked about as much as it should be!Sherry

Oh! Oh! Oh! Can't wait to try! Too bad I have plans for the next 3 weekends! GRRR! But you can bet this is on my list to try. Thanks for sharing. What was the ratio of paint to gesso you used to get the custom color?

Hi Rosemary: sure glad i was surfing and found your site. i have worked with Gesso and have the white. i'm thinkin' i could add a drop or two of color to the white to achieve a different shade, like the gray or a pink or blue...what do you recommend? thanks for sharing.sidyou can check my blog:howmyartbeats.blogspot.com

This looks wonderful -- have I read the tutorial right, that you use the gesso in place of "regular" paint?Does it stand up after waxing?Or can you only use it on something like frames or mirrors that don't get a lot of hands-on use and wear?

I know --lotsa questions but I've got lots of furniture to paint for our beach house and would love some chalky looks but can't afford the chalky paints. Thanks!Cass

Rosemary ~ with each post I read of yours, I find myself oohing and ahhing and frantically scribbling down supplies to pick up at the craft store! :) Your tutorial here was fantastic and soooo appreciated! I had heard of gesso before, but just never knew how to use it. Thank you, girlie!!! You are rockin' my world!! :)

i am sooo happy i came acros your blog! Great work, great tutorials. I am now ready to start doin a few projects i didn't have the confidence to do before, like crackling paint, and now usign gesso. thank you so much!

I have clean dishes in the dishwasher, dirty dishes in the sink and clothes in the washer and dryer but here I sit. I can't seem to break away from your awesome blog. I love your beautiful creations and I love that you share your processes with your readers. Thank you. You have a new fan.

Daniel Smith Artist's Materials make many colors of gesso - including gold and a red. You may love them as I do. I use the gold under all my oil paintings - but this post makes me think I will now use it on my frames!

I am new to the party. And I love this. I was wondering if it can be applied to unfinished wood? I have a modern mirror what I was going to add some wood embelishments or shells to. But I wonder if this would cover them. Will be back again & again & again.

I love your comments, and would love to reply if you have a question. Please make sure you are not a No-Reply comment. I can't respond if you are. If you are not sure, read my post "No-Reply, Noooooo", or send me a regular email. Thanks so much for your readership. I appreciate each and every one of you.